It is hard to remember a sequel to Godzilla, aside perhaps Godzilla's Revenge, in which the human protagonists are compelling and given a subplot worthy of attention and care. Even though Godzilla makes an early appearance, this one plays on mystery and build-up. It's too convoluted for its own good, tough. Gangsters? A high-tech lab? Aliens? Monsters at war? We've done this before...

Asked to care on a human level, you wonder how the kaijus even matter in the main plot. When genres start blending, things get goofy but cool; slightly comedic and with allures of a spy film. As it turns out, there is little monster footage that doesn't feel shoved in until the second half of the movie; when everything ties up together nicely, as if designed like a great melodic firework.

When it finally takes its swing, there is lengthy carnage and enough special effects to buy back your time investment. The city models and the creatures are some of the best we've seen so far. You'll have to excuse the odd pacing and the cheap editing once things start blowing up. The carnage mostly happens at night, so although you're attending a monster war, this one's a bit darker.